Bali boat explosion leaves at least two dead and Brits among 20 injured in horror blast on tourist ferry
Among the 35 people were 17 Britons on board the fast boat when the explosion took place
AT LEAST two people were killed and 20 others have been injured after an explosion took place on board a ferry carrying British passengers.
The Gili Cat 2 fast boat was carrying 35 holidaymakers - of which 17 were Britons - from Bali to the popular Gili Islands when a fuel tank reportedly exploded this morning.
An injured woman is carried away after a boat explosion in Indonesia
A German woman was confirmed dead and dozens more suffered horrific injuries, a police spokesperson said.
There are conflicting sources on how many people have died in the incident with reports of another victim, whose nationality is not known.
It is not clear what caused the explosion in the speedboat but an investigation has been launched and police say it was not a bomb.
Reports suggest a faulty battery may have sparked the blast.
Blood can be seen scattered around the vessel after the blast took place
Karangasem police chief Sugeng Sudarso said the victims were being taken to a clinic in Manggis Village.
He said: "There are many victims injured, mostly foreigners.
"One female passenger died from head injuries.";
"We are still investigating the cause of the explosion, whether there is any element of intent or negligence."
He added: "Based on the testimony (from passengers) and from what I saw on the scene, the explosion came from the fuel tank.
"Above it was a battery, maybe there was a short circuit that affected the fuel tank."
Graphic photos shared on social media show bloodied passengers in lifeboats and others being helped by crew and locals on the Indonesian island.
One survivor, a middle-aged woman, appeared to have had both her feet blown off in the blast.
The blast is reported to have occurred around 200 metres from Padang Bai Harbour shortly after the boat set off.
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It is believed the Indonesian skipper and three crew members were not hurt.
Police are now questioning the boat's captain.
The Gili Cat are high-speed boats which takes tourists from the Bali mainland to the Gili islands.
They are about five times the price of the regular ferry, but much faster, making them a popular option for tourists having a quick stay on the islands.
The Foreign Office said it is providing consular assistance to British holidaymakers affected.
Last year, dozens of tourists were injured when small explosions hit a ferry crossing between Bali and the neighbouring holiday island of Lombok.
The explosions were an accident and thought to have come from the fuel tank of the ferry, which was carrying 129 passengers, most of them tourists.
But fears have also been growing in Indonesia that radicals who have headed to fight with the Islamic State group in the Middle East could encourage supporters back home to launch attacks, or may launch attacks themselves on their return.